Ruggedly Cary Grant-ish type computer geek, played by Ben Affleck, has invented a machine that can see into the future.

"An Hitchcockian style modern triumph. I almost said masterpiece but only time will tell on that one."

"I understand they wanted Matt Damon for this role, but he suggested his mate Ben."

"Did I spot that nice undertaker chappie from television's Six Feet Under? He's rather grumpy in this! "

Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) goes back to destroy the machine that can see the future, but there seems to be something amiss... The machine shows Jennings how he will die... and yet he don't die like that at all.

All ends happily ever after, Jenning and Dr. Rachel Porter (Uma Thurman) work in a flower shop. And under Porter's pet birds Jennings discovers a winning lottery ticket.

Oh mini-triumph of mini-triumphs! A modern day Cary Grant movie, but of course without the great man himself. The Cary Grant in this movie is the superb Ben Affleck, a botty chinned long faced triumph of the big screen.

John Woo directs. His directorial talents are indeed much called upon in what is at times a very energetic, sweaty, stick whacky, enterprise. One had to hold one's gammy knee during some of the more high kicking of sequences. My back gave a bit of a twinge too, dear reader.

All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable romp in a strange plot.

A good film, expertly executed.

May 15 , 2006